Visitors to the Country Lights program at the Lake Metroparks Farmpark enjoy a ride on a horse-drawn wagon through the park's lighted wonderland.

Country Lights at Lake MetroparksFarmpark in Kirtland has become more and more of a holiday tradition for many since its inception 23 years ago.

In fact, this year's event is so popular, they sold out of 20,240 tickets -- or 880 tickets each night for 23 nights -- three weeks ahead of time. The money generated is part of Lake Metroparks' operating revenue to help offset the costs associated with putting on this lighting display every year.

"One of the reasons we kept it at the 880 figure per night is we don't want to cram too many people in and then start ruining the experiences of folks that do come," said Andrew Baker, Lake Metroparks Farmpark administrator. "We just get a thrill out of the fact that folks keep coming here and really have a good experience and hopefully they get into the holiday spirit with their experience here at the Farmpark."

It takes his staff about a month to set up thousands of twinkling lights, along with preparing for the various other activities which take place along the grounds every night.

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Some of the favorites that attendees have grown accustomed to over the years, such as the animated storybook and nursery rhyme themed light displays, are still part of this year's event. Attendees get to witness Jack and Jill going up and falling down the hill and the cow jumping over the moon, just to name a few.

"One of the things that we've been doing is gradually converting the lights and displays to the LEDs," Baker said. "It's part of a general energy efficiency conservation effort that we've been putting into the park system throughout the years. The thing about LEDs is that they give you a different quality of light and in some cases it gives you a three-dimensional feel to it."

This year, the Farmpark has expanded its antique toy display and kids can play with model trains. Farmpark also has added more equestrian shows.

Baker noted that "Santa's Workshop" will be open during the week after Christmas to accommodate those who purchase a general admission ticket or had purchased a Country Lights ticket and were unable to make it.

He and Lake Metroparks Executive Director Paul Palagyi already have begun planning for next year.

On the drawing board are new light displays, as well as debating the cost effectiveness of whether to expand the number of nights to include either Thanksgiving weekend or the week after Christmas.

"We do evaluate that every year," Baker said. "What we've done up to this point in time is we've added additional nights. We use a lot of volunteers, so we have to determine whether we have to keep getting more volunteers in order to do that as well."

When Country Lights first debuted, he said it lasted for either one or two nights, tops. The following year, it was expanded to include all of the weekends in December.

"I think it ended up being 12 nights," Baker said. "As it grew in popularity, we just kept adding a few additional nights and eventually we got the point where we were selling out completely."

Baker said he believes Country Lights has gained so much in popularity over the years because, "It's become a family tradition for a lot of people."